Man Allegedly Ran Into New York Officer at Gas Line

A man has been arrested after allegedly driving his car into a Washingtonville police officer who told him to move out of a line for gas following Superstorm Sandy.

Robert Rabinowitz was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree assault, disorderly conduct, obstructing governmental administration and two traffic violations, according to Newsday.

The 62-year-old was at the end of the line at Stewart's convenience store on Route 94 on Nov. 4 around 8:45 a.m. when an officer directing traffic asked him to drive around again because he was blocking the entrance to another gas station.

"The officer told him to go around and come back and if there was room, we'd try and get him into the line," Police Chief Stephen Bogert told the newspaper.

Rabinowitz argued with the officer before driving into him, police say.

The unidentified officer sustained injuries to his left leg and foot, back and right hand, and suffered "road rash" on his head.

He was transported to St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital's Newburgh campus where he was treated and released.

Rabinowitz was spotted by police Monday night and arrested him without incident.

He was arraigned Monday and sent to Orange County Jail in lieu of $1,000 bail.